Courtesy pays in real estate; most literally!

If you’re currently putting your house up for sale in today’s complex market (and, of course, preparing to move in the process), then you may find yourself at various times frustrated, impatient, weary, wary, or even angry. These feelings are natural and are bound to come with any life transition; it is important, however, that you not let them show before the people who are considering buying your home.

When you prepare yourself for the showings and open houses that will help you sell your home, you of course will put your best face on your house; making sure that your home is clean, bright and cheery at all times during the sale. Also be sure that your visitors can say the same about the host of the showing or open house that they’re attending; that the home owner with whom they might do business is as warm and welcoming as the atmosphere of the residence itself.

If possible, allow the Realtor representing the buyers to go through your home by themselves.  They will be much more comfortable without you being in the room and listening to their comments.  I know that you’re the best authority about your home, but you are also emotionally attached and as much as you love your home, trying to convince a buyer to fall in love with your home will most likely have the opposite effect.  If you have to stay for the showing try to welcome a guest and potential home buyer through the doors of your home, then treat them more as the former than the latter.

If you absolutely have to be the one showing the home, follow this advice:  Make conversation and—if possible—make friends with your guests before you even dream of making a sale. In other words, make them feel at home in the very home that they might wish to buy.

If possible, offer each guest or family of guests a personal tour of your home; allowing them to see its beauty and assets through your eyes, so that they can know and appreciate fully everything that your home has to offer them. Ask them if they have any questions and answer them to the best of your ability; remembering that no question is dull or unimportant if it might just result in the sale of your home.

At the same time, don’t be too forward or pushy in trying to make a home sale. Just remember that, if you welcome a guest into your house under any other conditions, you wouldn’t constantly barrage your guests with constant inquiries of “So what do you think of my house?”, “When do you think you’ll be coming back?”, etc. In a similar fashion, you don’t want to confront the guests at your showings and open houses by demanding an offer on your home.

If a guest indicates in all politeness that they don’t want to buy your house, then respond with equitable politeness that you were very pleased to meet them and welcome them to your home that day. If a guest says that they need time to consider or think about their potential purchase of your home, then give them that time.

Ultimately you will find that courtesy does indeed pay in real estate; and it might just result in a fair, swift and profitable home sale that is very “nice” indeed!